Weekend and Short-Break Cottages

Browse self-catering cottages for a weekend away, a midweek escape or another short stay. Use the filters to find a cottage by destination, group size and the features that matter to you.

The length of a short break, the minimum stay and permitted arrival days can vary between properties and dates. Check the individual cottage details before booking, particularly for school holidays, bank holidays and peak-season stays.

Exterior of a 2-storey, stone barn conversion near Bangor
  • Sleeps 2
  • Bedrooms 1

Ysgubor Penrallt is a little treasure, a romantic, rural retreat for two near Bangor in North Wales with superb sea views across the Menai Straits to Anglesey—a perfect coastal location for couples exploring North Wales beaches and Snowdonia in all seasons.

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Spacious seaside apartment lounge with sofa, coffee table and sideboard.
  • Sleeps 4
  • Bedrooms 2

Fun in the sun is assured at 16 Woolacombe, a luxurious coastal apartment in Woolacombe Bay, Devon. The apartment bathes in natural light and carries an effortless coastal chic throughout. It also offers a swimming pool, sauna, treatment room, and modern comfort just minutes from the beach.

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Stone-built exterior of an Exmoor country house and its courtyard garden.
  • Sleeps 5
  • Bedrooms 1

Allerford View is the only self-catering apartment at Bossington Hall near Porlock. This one-bedroom Exmoor holiday apartment with a wet room is listed as ‘accessible’, but it is equally suitable for non-disabled gusts. The adaptions are discrete and unobtrusive. We created this apartment as there are few self-catering properties in the area with facilities like this.

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A wide tree-lined drive leads to a long, Boscastle holiday bungalow.
  • Sleeps 5
  • Bedrooms 3

Anneth Lowen, a remarkable North Cornwall holiday cottage, welcomes couples, families, and friends to experience peaceful coastal holidays in the serene hamlet of Tresparrett near Boscastle. Recently refurbished to exacting standards, this pet-friendly 3-bedroom holiday home for up to five guests provides a comfortable rural retreat within easy reach of fabulous Cornish throughout the year.

Situated within a designated National Landscape, Anneth  Lowen occupies a spacious plot, providing an ideal escape for those seeking peace and privacy. The village, though rural, is just three miles from the stunning Cornish coast, boasting a host of remarkable beaches like Crackington Haven, Trebarwith, Bossinney, Bude, Widemouth Bay, Polzeath, Strangles, and Tregardock.

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A modern cross-timbered gable overlooking a drive, lawn and a spacious parking area.
  • Sleeps 16
  • Bedrooms 6

Celebrate a momentous occasion at Arden Hill Farm House, a refined country house near Stratford-upon-Avon with stunning views, an elegant interior, spacious gardens and a hot tub. The rural cottage offers a traditional exterior, access to many walking and cycling paths, and tranquillity.

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Exterior of a large country house with a conservatory and large lawn.
  • Sleeps 25
  • Bedrooms 11

Gather friends for a memorable weekend away at Ashleigh House, an elegant and affordable rural cottage near Henley-in-Arden. The sophisticated country house boasts a hot tub and sun lounge with a snooker table, ample gardens, a south-facing patio for entertaining, and period furnishings.

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The tower of a windmill (no sails) surrounded by a shrub-filled garden.
  • Sleeps 6
  • Bedrooms 3

Once a working flour mill for over 100 years, Aylsham Windmill now offers luxurious, family-friendly self-catering holidays (with Wi-Fi) for 2-6 guests in Aylsham, a picturesque rural market town in North Norfolk midway between Norwich and the coast at Cromer.

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Exterior of a large barn conversion with external steps to 1st flor front door - facing a mature garden
  • Sleeps 4
  • Bedrooms 2

The upside-down design of Barn Cottage captures the beautiful views of the Yorkshire countryside and adds another feature to this award-winning holiday cottage near Pickering. The rural cottage offers extensive manicured gardens with multiple play areas and spaces to entertain, relax, and unwind.

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Sea views from a beach-front villa window in Filey
  • Sleeps 6
  • Bedrooms 3

With beautiful sea views, Beach Villa offers a wonderful ocean escape for families and pets in Filey, North Yorkshire. The coastal cottage offers multiple outdoor entertaining areas which capture the view, and the interior boasts contemporary coastal chic as well as a carefree and relaxing vibe.

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Exterior of a holiday cottage in Cark-in-Cartmell overlooking a small patio and lawn.
  • Sleeps 5
  • Bedrooms 3

Lovely 18th-century holiday home near Cartmel village in the South Lakes. Off-road location, log fire, free Wi-Fi. Short breaks from £240.

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  • Sleeps 7
  • Bedrooms 3

Bryndol is a charming holiday cottage in Aberdaron. It is family—and pet-friendly and is located in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. It offers comfort and refinement with superb coast and country views. Located just moments from Aberdaron, this rural holiday cottage is a ten-minute walk to the beach.

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A reed-fringed lake sits in front of a 2-storey Shropshire barn conversion.
  • Sleeps 10
  • Bedrooms 6

Buttercups Haybarn is a detached 5-star rural cottage set amidst woodland and green fields in Alkington, Shropshire. The luxurious Georgian cottage blends tradition with urban chic, with shared use of an indoor swimming pool, multi-sports court, an Under 5's play area, plus wonderful rural views.

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Peak District, stone-built farmhouse and garden.
  • Sleeps 10
  • Bedrooms 5

Caxterway is a pet-friendly, luxury holiday cottage in the Derbyshire Peak District in secluded rural surroundings at Farditch Farm in Chelmorton. This large holiday cottage near Bakewell is a beautifully furnished barn conversion that sleeps 10 in 5 bedrooms - one on the ground floor.

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Exterior of a contemporary eco-lodge with large floor-to-ceiling plate glass windows and doors opening onto a wooden deck with a hot tub.
  • Sleeps 4
  • Bedrooms 2

A luxurious eco-lodge set within Strawberryfield Park in Cheddar. With a wraparound furnished deck and sumptuous hot tub, this beautifully designed and furnished home delivers style and comfort in equal measure. Perfectly suited to families or groups of friends, it makes for a superb stay in Somerset.

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  • Sleeps 10
  • Bedrooms 5

Cherry Tree Farmhouse is a Grade II listed rural cottage dating back to the 1600s. The large 5-star gold-rated holiday cottage near Halse in Somerset spoils guests with a log burner, hot tub, swimming pool, games room, vast outdoor play and entertaining areas, and lovely views, plus access to sandy beaches.

  • Active Holidays
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  • Cottages with Hot Tubs
  • Countryside Cottages
  • Cycling Holidays
  • Dog-Friendly Holiday Cottages
  • Eco Cottages
  • Farm Cottages
  • Holiday Cottages With a Pool
  • Large Holiday Cottages
  • Short Breaks
  • Walking Holidays

Find a short break that fits your plans

A cottage short break can suit many different plans: a weekend away with friends, a quieter midweek stay, a couple’s escape or a family break without taking a full week off. Some properties may offer a choice of short stays, while others have fixed arrival days or longer minimum stays at busy times.

Start with the dates you have in mind, then check the stay length and booking conditions for each cottage. If your plans are flexible, trying a midweek arrival or a different weekend may give you more choice.

What to check before booking a short-break cottage

  • Minimum stay: Not every cottage is available for two nights or a three-night weekend.
  • Arrival and departure days: A Friday-to-Monday stay may be possible at some properties, while others may offer different changeover days.
  • Date availability: Short breaks can be restricted during school holidays, bank holidays and popular seasonal dates.
  • Price for your chosen stay: Compare the total cost for your dates, including any optional extras or property-specific charges.
  • Travel time: For a short stay, a manageable journey can make a real difference to how much time you have to enjoy the break.
  • Property rules: Check pet arrangements, group rules and accessibility information before confirming your booking.

Ideas for a weekend cottage break

A short stay can be tailored around the kind of time away you want. Browse cottages for couples for a romantic break, dog-friendly cottages if your dog is coming too, or cottages with hot tubs for a more relaxing weekend.

For a change of scenery, explore coastal holiday cottages, walking holidays or waterside cottages. If you are travelling without a car, see our holiday cottages accessible by train.

Frequently asked questions

No. The minimum stay varies by property, season and date. Check the booking details for the cottage and dates you want before making plans.

Some cottages may allow Friday arrivals and Monday departures, but this is not universal. Check the available arrival days and minimum stay for the individual property.

No. A short break describes the length of the stay. A last-minute holiday usually relates to a near-term arrival date and may or may not involve an offer.

Not always. Prices depend on the property, season, demand and length of stay. Check the total price for your chosen dates rather than assuming a midweek break will cost less.

Many properties welcome dogs, but the number allowed, any charges and the property rules vary. Use our dog-friendly cottages collection and check each listing before booking.